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Nov 2 2009, 4:02 PM EST CaptainSpaz
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What is Harassment or Cyberbullying?

From the National Crime Prevention Council:

"Online bullying, called cyberbullying, happens when teens use the Internet, cell phones, or other devices to send or post text or images intended to hurt or embarrass another person."

Online harassment or bullying can take on a variety of forms:
  • Pretending to be someone else to trick them
  • Spreading lies or rumors about someone
  • Posting mean comments
  • Revealing personal information about someone

Preventing Harassment and Cyberbullying

Here are some things you can do to help prevent harassment or bullying online:
  • Refuse to post or pass along cyberbullying videos and messages
  • Tell friends to stop cyberbullying
  • Block communication with cyberbullies
  • Report cyberbullying to a trusted adult (for kids); or in extreme cases, consider contacting local authorities.

Dealing with Harassment or Cyberbullying

Unfortunately, not everyone in the online world is nice. People say some nasty things, especially when they think they are safely behind a computer online. Keep in mind that nearly all cyberbullies have one thing in common - they are trying to get a reaction out of you. If a someone's comments are bothering you, it's generally a bad idea to reply to them. The best thing to do is to try deleting the comments and block the user so they can't continue to send you messages. If you are a moderator, administrator, or site creator, ban the user that posted the content. If you are a registered user, contact a moderator, explain the situation, and have them ban the user for you.

If criticism and insults escalate into more serious forms of harassment or cyberbullying you may need to do more. If specific threats are made against you and you feel unsafe, tell a trusted adult or contact your local authorities.


Outside Resources


See Also

Cyberbullying Videos